ADNI Untold Saga Lingering Moments Chapter 15
IPK3 Episode 85
A family exulting in the aftermath of breaking news...a revolutionary stance taken jointly by two brothers...thousand different emotions surging in each heart...Realization of hidden fondness...tenderness...warmth...caring and love...reckoning the disclosed truth as an answer to an unanswerable question of their life...fundamental quandary in each heart... How's justice to be done?
Pooja hugged Miku with all her love, "Miku, how did you ever learn to think so matured. Oh! I curse myself for always having thought of you as a prankster. Please forgive your Didi for not understanding you completely,won't you?"... Artless as her heart was, elder sister pleaded younger brother to pardon her earlier teasing.
"Oh Didi, I'll always be that prankster for you... to see the smile on your lips ...It's priceless!" Miku replied.
Happy smile broke on Advay's face with exactly the same feeling... He had always seen his brother as a carefree, happy-go-lucky guy but today he had proved himself to be the chip of the same block...exactly proven himself to be as Advay had claimed him to be much earlier...And yes, Pooja's smile was priceless for both...all their hearts connected in strong brotherhood feeling.
"Hum Miku Bhaiyya ke saath Allahabad jaayenge... Vahaa ki ladkiyaa humaari yaad mein ro rahi rahegi,TanaaTan! Hum ek ek ke aasoo pochhenge. Kya pataa kitni sukh ke kaata hui rahegi, unhe ape haath se khaana khilaayenge, TanaaTan!"
(I'll go to Allahabad with Miku Bhaiyya...... All the girls there must be missing me and crying. I'll wipe their tears. How many must have starved themselves to mere bones. I'll feed them with my own hands, tanatan)
Murli was ecstatic with idea of going to Allahabad.
"Royegi unki Jooti... Sab Raakhiyaan baandhegi, main ek ishaara karu toh!" Shilpa retorted. (My Foot, If I say, everybody will make you their brother)
"Tujhe koun le jaanewala hain? Bade bhaiyya ke saath main gaya tha. Miku bhiayya ke saath bhi mainhi jaaunga aur Bhaiyya ka khayaal main rakhunga!"
( Who's taking you? With Elder Brother I had gone; so with younger Miku also I will go and take care of him)
"Nahi, Miku bhaiyyaka khayaal main rakhoongi. Bade bhaiyya ne mujhe promotion diya hai." (I'll be caretaker for Miku as Big Bro has given me promotion.)
The banter between the two was endless.
" Arre sab jaayenge Allahabad! Jhagado mat!" ( All will go to Allahabad, don't fight)
A smiling Chandni interrupted both.
Naani was smiling from ear to ear, "Miku, you have made me the happiest granny today. This is exactly my way of thinking... This is exactly how Damaadji would have thought...You are so very much like him...All these years, I have been trying to explain to Chiku the same thought; but yeh Hitler ke saamne kissi ki kuchh chale tab na. (This Hitler doesn't allow anything)
"Kuchh kahaa aapne,Maa?" ( Did you say something) Maasi asked sternly.
"Arre, nothing! I am just wondering whether Miku will be able to learn all mantras as Daamadji knew." Naani's wisdom brought caution to Miku.
"I'll teach him. I know all the mantras and pooja strotraas." Chandni volunteered happily.
"He'll be in Allahabad, Chandni! How will you go to Allahabad when I am here? "Advay was too quick in response with immediate worry crowding his mind.
Sanskrit teaching would be a long process and he could not afford to stay away from business for so long again. As such, business had been slow while he was in Allahabad. Even after returning to Mumbai, all post marriage rituals and Sasha's coming had not allowed him to focus on business growth. If he went for a long period again;stocks would dwindle.
Chandni smiledre assuringly at her husband. He was much older to her but had an innocent childlike heart.
"Aap chinta mat kijiye.(Don't worry) I cannot live away from you either." Then with a laugh in her voice she teased him, "I'll use the invention called telephone to teach him."
"Bhabhi, PakkaVaada?" Miku felt much relief. (promise?)
"Pakka Vaada,Devarjee! I'll teach you every day and make you expert." (promise, Bro!)
"Then I'll put the phone on speaker and let you say all the mantraas while I'll just do Pooja stuff." blithely replied Miku.
"Thoda to serious ho jaa, Miku bachhe!",( Act a little serious, Son)
Naani admonished laughingly. Everybody joined her laughter.
"Sabhi ko Thoda serious hone ki jaroorat hai , Ma. Kuchh jyada hi khushiya manaayi ja rahi hai." ( Everybody needs to be serious. There is too much rejoicing in the air)
Rise in Maasi's decibel suddenly quieted the laughter in the air.
"What happened,Maasi?" Chandni asked politely.
"Perhaps everybody in this house has absolutely forgotten the idea of revenge. Such huge conspiracy, my sister had to face... her husband's murder in front of her eyes,my sister saw...a death with flames gulping her from every side, my sister suffered...
And here everybody is celebrating the idea of fun and frolic in that damn Haveli where the murderer reigned for all these years. Wow! What a great justice being done!" ...
with every sentence Maasi's voice rose with anger and sarcasm dripping through... like an angry cobra growling his venomous hiss... Within a moment, all laughter vanished from the air and it smelt poisonous...
Everybody's heart was pierced with dagger and all laughing happy faces crumpled in no time. Both Advay and Veer felt an actual, all consuming, full bodied incinerating pain. For a moment, there was stunned silence. Then Advay's solid voice of reason pierced through.
"Maasi, I respect you hugely. For past sixteen years, I have listened to every command of yours. And what did we get through it? I defamed and tortured Chandni! You kept insulting her. And then it turned out that Chandni was completely innocent. The poor girl has gone and jailed up her own parents, the moment she came to know the truth." Advay's voice had gone very quiet... an ice dagger cutting through.
"At least now,Maasi...please curtail your angry commands. Because those, whom you order around, have grown into adults...My request to you Maasi. Please respect our intelligence. If Ma was your sister, she was also our most loved mother. We will never ever forget what happened to her. Even if I incinerate the whole universe, our pain will not subside." Advay's troubled eyes voiced the avalanche in his heart.
"Miku is giving a different dimension to the whole aspect. It's no lesser a battle that the social stigma on the family name has to be washed away first. Then the whole village will support us in finding those culprits.
When I went there, I was alone. Now, we are all together. Every step will be measured, thought out properly and then taken. Each and every culprit will be found. I shall ensure that every single person responsible for the conspiracy w ill be punished. This battle is about the restoration of truth now."
His truth reflected crystal clear in his determined eyes... the authority in his voice unshakeable.
"He is very right, Leela. Anger takes away the rational thinking of mind. It's the worst of all shadripus. Chiku knows, how many times I had urged him to listen to his heart and not his anger; which blinded him to Chandni's truth. Now let not your anger further blind anybody. Punishing the wrong is only one aspect of settling the past. But having my daughter and son-in-law's happy dreams fulfilled is far more important an aspect." Naani was determined to use all her authority, if required, to curtail Leela.
"Maa, shouldn't these youngsters do our bidding?"
"Not beyond a certain point, Leela. Chiku is not that fifteen year old boy whom you took under your control. And just look at Miku..."
She smiled reassuringly at Miku,"this boy, youngest of the family, yet today he's like Bharata to my Chiku. Admire his magnanimous thought process, his devotion to Miku for a moment...These are all your kids... learn to be happy in their happiness."
"Maasi, main aapko vachan deti hoon... main in dono bhaaiyon ki shakti banoongi... Aapki har ichchha main khud inse poori karavaaungi... Miku toh mera Lakshman hai, meri koi baat kabhi nahi taalega. Aap pareshaan mat hona."
(Aunty, I promise you.... I'll become the strength of both brothers.....Every desire of yours, I'll have it fulfilled through them...... Miku is my Laxman, he'll never deny me anything. Don't worry yourself)
Chandni folded her hands in front of Maasi. Her eyes earnest and lowered in respect...
Chandni's calming voice brought Advay back to his normal polite self, "We are all at your command today and forever; let us have your wisdom and we shall give you our compliance and respect."
Advay's assurance chilled out Maasi's anger completely...The paroxysm of the frenzy moment suddenly finding its equilibrium...Maasi hugged Chandni lovingly.
"Miku, come on, go and get ready for Bhaidooj. You have earned your right for the first Aarti but I am not going to do it in this night clothes of yours. Don't get too late. I am ready here waiting for you guys." Pooja intervened bringing the atmosphere back to normal. She turned to Advay, "Bhaiyya, you also please dress up and come."
"I am all dressed up, Pooja. I am ready" Advay defended himself immediately.
"In these western clothes? Nothing doing, wear Indian traditional and come. Chandni, you also dress up nicely today. It's such a happy occasion after a long time. Just last night, Miku was telling me and today he has himself made his saying come true." Pooja smiled lovingly at Miku.
"And later, we are having guests for Govardhan Pooja and your session, too. You must look like a perfect dulhan."
"Come, I'll take out your clothes for you." Shikha offered to help Veer. Both left.
"Bhaiyya, Miku ne toh aisi sunder news se apna sunder gift de diyaa... Ab aap bhi kuchh khaas dena mujhe! Aap ki bhi kya pataa, koi news ho" (Bhaiyya Miku has given such nice gift with his news. Now you also must do something special. Who knows, you also might have a news to give us)
Pooja teasingly looked at Chandni. Chandni blushed completely and ran to the kitchen.
"Tum na Pooja,chidhaanesse baaj nahi aaogi. You are always teasing. I have something for you, hope you will like it." Advay patted on her head "Is it necessary to change, Pooja?
"Of course, Bhaiyya. You can't fool me like that. Go and change. Your Maina has gone to the kitchen. Follow her." Pooja pushed Advay lovingly.
Chandni was in the kitchen, her face hidden in her hands...blushing away happily with the dream voiced by Didi...Dev put his hand on her shoulder and turned her to him, " E Katto Gilheri, look at me..."
Slowly he pushed her hands away and cupped her face;but Chandni kept her gaze lowered... her face had gone cherry red...her lips parting softly in her blush... "You heard what Pooja wants, right? So have to fulfill her wish, rrright...after all she's my younger sis! Main uski koi baat kabhi nahi taalata."( I never ever deny her anything)
He was goading her and she blushed completely, her toes curling. Advay bent to claim her lips but she evaded and instead hugged him happily. It was heaven for both.
"You brought a nice gift for Dee, rrright? I hope you really make her happy today..." Chandni asked Dev.
"I'll make everyonehappy... He breathed in her fragrance deeply reveling in it."
She pulled away a little, "all? What is it? Tell me."
"Have patience. Sabrka phal meetha hota hai...The fruit of patience is always sweet. Come with me, let's go to our room."
"Na baba... you please go and change... I have to still finish the prashaad (Offering) preparation." Chandni pushed a reluctant Dev towards his room.
"Shilpa..." Chandni called out to Shilpa, "Come and help me in the kitchen. Get the other staff as well. Need to finish fast." Everybody worked fast and the offerings food for Govardhan Pooja was ready in short while.
Chandni was making the final of laddoos and giving instructions to staff further. "Arrange everything in big silver Thaals and take it to Govardhan pooja mandap. I shall go and get dressed now." She hurried with her final touches to the food.
On her way, Chandnipeeped into Naani's room. Naani was smiling from ear to ear and looked genuinely happy.
"Naani, aap bahot khush lag rahe ho."(naani you look very happy)
"Sirf lag nahi rahi... Main aaj bahot khush hoon, Chandni...
( Not just appearing happy, I am genuinely happy, Chandni)
both my grandsons have found their right path... All these years, I also suffered lot of pain and frustration after my daughter's death...But the worst thing was watching Chiku burn in hatred...I did not want that hatred to burn him out... burn out your Dev!"
"It's all bygone now, Naani. As he said, even in hatred, he was connected to me. So in a way, I am thankful for that hate that it made him come back and find me."
"Oh Yes, beta! He would come and find you, whether hate or not...believe me!"
Chandni smiled in happiness,"Would he, really?"
"You want to try it?"
Both laughed heartily.
"Nani, who all are coming in Govardhan pooja?"
"All friends, all relatives...literally everybody. And in front of all of them, you must explain Ganesha and also the aspect of Shiv-Parvati."
"Oh why, Naani?" whined Chandni, "I'll explain to Aadi and our family... I don't want to speak in front of everbody...I feel abashed."
"Shame one must feel if one is doing a wrong deed, for a noble deed like this why do you want to act selfish and restrict to only family, let this whole world get the wisdom. Run now and as Pooja said, you must look like a real dulhan(bride). Your Muhdikhaayee happened only with Aadi's friends. This will be your real introduction to all."
Shikha was taking out Veer's clothes from his cupboard while he threw himself lazily on bed watching her. Unaware of his gaze resting on her, she called out to him while placing the clothes properly. "Aji sunte ho..."Just listen)
In a moment, he sprang up from the bed suddenly very close to her. Extremely conscious of his proximity, her breathing got laboured.
"Kya kaha? Maine theek se suna nahi...phirse kaho..." He was goading her. (What did you say? I didn't hear properly, say again)
"Kuchh nahi...nothing " she turned away... a sudden unrecognisable feeling burgeoning in her heart puzzling her... making her feel very shy of him.
As she tried moving away, Veer held her back...his grip possessive on her hand...a firmness, a strength saying, you can't escape me... aloud he coaxed, "Bolo na... Mujhe sunana hai...achchaa lagaa..."( Say it, please....I want to hear again, felt good on my ears)
Blushing hard, she complied, "Ajee sunate ho..."
Ecstatic in his heart with her call, he pulled her to face him, "Why this sudden change today,may I know?"
Lost in her looks,he waited patiently for her reply... She was not sure how to say what she felt...the hesitancy on her face...her shyness increasing... She looks so beautiful,thought he.
"Main aap se pyaar karne lagi thee. I truly started loving you... but the way I saw you today,heard what you had in mind... Ab main aapki pooja karati hoon! I worship you now.
I had neverever realised the depth of you...Always thought of myself as equal to all men and could give my Prashaad(bashing) to anybody who dared thwart me...but now, I feel honoured to be associated with you... There is so much I can learn from you. "She raised her lids and waited expectantly for him to respond.
Chandni reached her room. Advay was lying on the bed casually with some papers. Chandni hurried with her work. She put curlers in her hair and sat in front of mirror preparing her face mask for skin glow. She left the paste standing for some time and started checking through her jewellery to be worn. She took out her outfit from the wardrobe and placed in the wash room for changing later. Advay was watching her haste though his eyes were on his papers.
"Kya chal raha hai bhagyavaan... Sar pe yeh kya topa banaake baithi ho... jaldi jaldi finish kar lona..."
(What's going on, lucky wifey? WHat nest have you made on your head. Hurry up)
"Maine aap se poochha kya, ki kya kar rahe hain..."(Did I ask you what you are doing)
Chandni answered with a pout. She thought in her heart why am I tensed up about dressing up? Yet aloud, she said,
"You have to get used to seeing all this now... Do you know at all, why do we women dress up? Why do we do all saaj singaar?"
"So when you ask the mirror, who's most beautiful; the mirror tells you, you're the most beautiful." Dev answered nonchalantly without taking his eyes away from his papers.
"Not the mirror on the wall... The mirror we see in your eyes... we want to look our best so that you find us good looking and are enchanted by us."
He smiled with her answer, "Bhagyavaan, I am enchanted by you anyhow you look."
"Humm...is that why your eyes are not shifting from the papers and looking at me?"
He raised his eyebrows... her voice had a complaining tone...he looked at her. She caught the moment and said, "You'll need to change. I have kept your clothes on bed...Please change."
Now he genuinely raised his brows higher, "Are you alright, Chandni? I have changed and am wearing your so called traditional now."
"This is the same sherwaani that you wore day before yesterday for Laxmipooja."
"So what? I hardly wore it for some time... It's perfectly OK to be worn again."
"If you are going to wear only one, then why do we have so many in the wardrobe?"
"That's all unused collection." He dismissed her.
"Precisely! It's your unused collection and you have to start putting it to use. The same people who came for laxmi pooja, may revisit again. I don't want people to see you repeating your clothing. Please uthiye aur badallijiye..." (get up and change)
"This is simply too much...you and Pooja drive me crazy with your demands about what I wear."
"Mere liye...For my sake...... please." Chandni was almost pleading.
"uff... yeh ladki!" Dev was exasperated but he knew he couldn't help it.
Veer cupped Shikha's face, "We have to both learn, Shikha. It's going to be a long learning curve for us. And on this path, I want you to be my Sahcharini'. I want you to mould exactly the way my Maa would like her bahu to be. You'll be happy to come with me to Allahabad, right? Or do you prefer this Mumbai life?"
Shikha smiled, "I love Allahabad... and as such I'll come anywhere you go."
" Hummm... I am going to one place and you'll surely have to come with me."
"Where?"
"To meet Ammi-Abbu... to take their blessing and have us engaged. We can get married after you finish your studies from your college there. Tum meri ardhangini banogi, Shikha."( You'll be my better half)
Bright smile broke on Shikha's face. Overwhelmed with love, she spontaneously hugged him. Happily, he hugged her back.
" Aur Shaadi ke baad, aise hi bulaana mujhe... aur main bhai ki taraha tumhe Bhaagyavaan bulaaunga." (After marraige, you call out to me exactly like this, And I'll call you Bhagyavaan (Lucky wife)
Their path together was just beginning.
"Aji... Jara sunenge?... Idhar dekhiyega na ek najar, please..."
(Listen, just put a glance here, please)
Chandni's love filled voice fell on his ears. Dev was just finishing his change into new sherwaani; but with her call, almost programmed to turn, he turned to her...Like a sunflower turning towards the sun...he looked at her...And then he couldn't look away...his Whole universe froze...Absolute divine beauty with the most beautiful smile he had ever seen in life...
His life had been trapped in amaawas of his pain but she was the chandni for every amaawas ( no moon night) in his life. She had once told him,
"Chaand pe daag ho sakatehain, Chandani humesha bedaag hai...' (the moon can have stains, the moonlight is always pure)
So true... Such purity embodied in her whole being...be it her face, her smile, her heart...he simply lost control...Fazed he walked towards her in a trance, he couldn't stop looking at her...a thick intimacy in his fixed gaze...showing his desire naked in his eyes, unable to control the heat of the moment...He cupped her face and turned it towards him ...an air of utter concentration on his face, in his whole body... like this was all that there was to life, nothing else existed in the whole world...time stopped having any meaning...just pure, unadulterated, chaotic magic in the air...And inebriation of luster, of beauty, of sheen...In his eyes, the mirror said to her, "You and only you are the most beautiful in the world."
"Ahummm... Abhi nahi jee...abhi humein neeche jaana hai. Didi wait kar rahihai..." (Ahumm...now now... now we need to go down stairs, didi is waiting)
Her reminder broke his trance, but he didn't want to hear to it...a gathering storm in his being, a Junoon, a madness...he yearned to gather all close to him...all of her, only his...
He hugged her tight against his strong erect body, never wanting to let go, wanting to give in to every emotion surging up in his heart... burning, flaming passion spreading like wild fire in him...with no beginning nor end...as if always been there...In the dark night skies, in the burning dupattas, in the burning lanterns, in every twist and hold to stop her from falling...That close proximity when their breaths mingled and their eyes locked...all the passion, like hot fire consuming both, had always been there.
Before the passion could take over her resolve, she pulled away. He cupped her face again... wanting to hold onto her... Then he asked with all his love, "Aaj..." He paused and corrected, "abhi yeh sajanaa Kyun?" Why the dress up nw?
"Because my heart rejoices today. I want to celebrate! "
"And why is that? What have you got that makes you so happy?
"Maine aapse kaha tha na...pyaar paane ka nahi, khud ko khone ka naamhai... aur maine apne aap ko kab ka aap mein kho diya... ( Haven't I told you? Love is not about gaining, rather it's about losing your own self... I never relaised, when I lost myself in you)
Your entity is my entity...today, you are tranquil...like the vast oceans glistening in sunshine in the mornings...I was so much trying to bring equilibrium in your heart but didn't have a definite direction. I simply could not, whatever I tried... but my prayers have been heard and devarjee has joined hands with you...your path towards real happiness has started...how could I not rejoice?" She hugged him lovingly resting her cheek against his heart. He held her to himself and rested his cheek on her silky head.
Both their hearts, so pure in love, had started traveling tender steps to the titillating feeling of oneness...Resting on her head, Dev perceived a tranquillity inside that he never knew existed ... The one whom he had made Ek raat Ki dulhan was now his dulhan, his ardhaangini for lifetime and beyond. ... (the bride of just one night, now become his better half)
He smiled at the thought...Right from the first moment ... He had known that this would take over his life ...He had known it was no ordinary relation ... She was no ordinary girl ... Since he had known her, not a single day ... a solitary hour ... a passing minute ...a fleeting moment had gone by that he had not thought of her...
Lovingly he kissed her head...Then he got into his joshing mood, "Kab kaha tha tumne, mujhe yaad nahi aa raha." (When had you said that? i don't seem to remember)
She beat her fist on his chest and retorted, "Mere Saiyya... jhoothe, jhoother, jhoothest! (liar)
Ek baat meri bhoolenge nahi kabhi; aur kahenge kuchh yaad nahi." (You never forget even a single word of mine and you claim that you don't remember anything.
She went on beating his chest, "Mujhe sataake badaa maja aata hai na."(You enjoy teasing me)
He held her wrists firmly in his hands stopping her attack and then pulled her to him hugging her tight again.
Chandni was just entering the Mandir room; when Advay stopped her by elbow. From behind, he bent towards her ears and whispered, "Finish everything fast and come early to the room tonight."
Chandni tried hard to keep a straight face and not let the colour rise in her cheeks. Everybody was enchanted by her looks.
Pooja hugged her happily. "Tum toh sach mein dulhan lag rahi ho ! You look like a real bride, Chandni... Truly, Bhaiyya is so lucky to have you, right Bhaiyya?"
Advay just smiled his affirmation. He was not the kind of man to praise his wife a lot in front of all. Chandni knew him in and out.
"Meri bahu sunder lag rahi hai ya bahut sunder?" Naani asked.
(My daughter in law looks beautiful or very beautiful)
"Bahut Sunder, Naani" (very beautiful)
Everybody spoke in unison. Pooja brought both, Chandni and Advay happily inside the pooja room.
Veer came for aarti first. Everybody looked on happily.
"Devarjee, Sar ke peechhe daahina haath... Didi aapko Tilak kar rahi hai."
(right hand behind your head... sis is putting vermin on your forehead)
Laughingly Chandni told Veer.
"Arre Shikha, Kaandhe par voh shawl daal uske." Naani advised Shikha.(Put the shawl on his shoulders.
"Miku, tere liye main kya kaamna karoon? Tujhe meri saari umar... " (May you get all my life)Pooja got emotional.
"Na didi... bilkul nahi" (no... not at all) Veer kept his hand on her mouth. "Jab tak main hoon, aapko humesha mere sar pe haath rakhana hai aur meri har saal aarti karni hai."
(Till such time that I am there, you must always put your hand on my head in blessing and do the aarti)
Pooja lovingly put tilak on him and then did his Aarti. Miku gave a big covered packet in her hand...
"Khol ke dekho, dee." (Open it and check) Miku urged.
Pooja opened the wrapping. It looked like a painting... But it turned out to be a photo collage... All Pooja's smiles captured by Miku after his arrival. Soft smile, huge grin, open mouth laugh... Pooja felt so happy that she hugged Veer.
"I told you didi, your smile is priceless for us."
"Koi mujhe bhi bataayega ki kya hai?" Will someone tell me what it is?Naani was getting impatient to know. Murli updated her.
"Mera Miku bahot hi Sayana hai. Miku is very wise. What a beautiful idea for a gift... a smile!" Naani was elated. Everybody agreed with a smile.
It was Advay's turn for the Aarti now.
"Bhaiyya," Pooja looked at him with love and pride, "Yeh sirf bhaidooj ka tilk nahi... mere man ki saari shakti mein iss tilak mein se aapko de rahi hoon... Aaj se meri har saas aap ke vijay ki kaamna karegi, Bhaiyya."
(This is not just Vermin of this festival..... I give all my pwers to you in this vermin.... Every breath of mine will pray for your success from now on)
Advay felt all brotherly love surging in his heart. Gratitude was glistening in his eyes. This younger sister had shared all his pains right from beginning and was today wishing for his happiness...
"Aap ko kya alag se bataana padega, jee? Sar ke peechhe dahina haath rakhate hain, bataya hai na... "Chandni admonished him.
(Do I have to tell you separately? Keep your right hand behind your head, haven't I told you)
"Theek hai, Chandni... hum dono ke beech chalata hain. Ek kaam kar. Ab shawl daal." (It's OK Chandni.... between the two of us everything is OK... Do one thing.... put the shawl now)
Pooja was smiling.
"Bhai meri le lo. Take mine" Lovingly Veer put his around Advay's neck.
Pooja did Aarti of Advay. Advay looked at the diya... The light of happiness, gratitude spreading on his face.
He gave a folder in Pooja's hands. "Bhaiyya , kya hai yeh?What's this?" Pooja asked with surprise opening the folder.
"My desire that you come out of these four walls and explore the world. Find your happiness in your freedom. The vast expanse of natural beauty in Europe teaches a lot of things, Pooja. You must witness that beauty...
Yaad hai na Pooja? College ke baad tujhe Europe tour jana tha; par Uss vakt apne paas itne paise nahi the iss liye tune apna man maarkar apne doston ko manaa kar diya tha... Aaj main chaahata hoon ki poori family Europe tour par jaaye. It's been quite pressurizing times for all since I went to Allahabad. I want everybody to relax and enjoy a holiday trip."
(you remember, pooja? After the college, you wanted to on Europe tour with your friends. but money was short then.... so you curbed your desire and refused your friends.....Today I want that the whole family must go on Europe trip)
"Bhaiyya... aapko itni puraani baat yaad hain?" (you rememeber that old incident?)
Tears welled up in Pooja's eyes. Her brother had remembered her small wish of so many years back. Advay wiped her tears with his thumb and kissed on her forehead with love.
"Arre, this has Meghu and Mama Ji's tickets also."
"Aaan, Sach mein ? Really? " Chandni and Shikha were agape with wonder...He had remembered their maayakawaalas(maternal family) also.
"Yes. I am grateful to both of them also. Mama ji was always caring for Chandni a lot. In our marriage, he tied the knot when nobody else was there."
Advay looked at Chandni. There were tears in her eyes. Advay continued,
"And I respect Meghna a lot for her courage to come and tell me truth...otherwise, the misunderstanding would have killed our happiness. Chandni would never ever open her mouth." He was constantly staring at Chandni.
"You should have understood, Chiku. I had known it on the very first day of your marriage." Naani remembered the day the baby was shown to everybody in reception.
"yes Naani. My flaw... yet Chandni could have also told me." He looked back at Chandni.
"Voh dono toh Allahabad mein hain... voh kaise aayenge?" Chandni was worried. (both of them are in Allahabad. How will they come?)
"I have made all the arrangements. They'll be here day after for visa proceedings. We all leave next week." Advay informed.
Everybody was happy with idea of Europe tour. "Aadi, Europe to poora bahot bada hoga na? Tu mujhe sab kuchh baatayega na?" ( the whole of Europe must be very vast. You'll tell me everything that we see, won't you?) Naani asked Aadi.
"Haan Super Naani. CM ne to sirf tour plan kiya hai... Asli sansani to main machahaunga tour mein." Aadi replied to Naani.( yes, Grandma. CM has just planned the tour, I will bring all the fun in the tour)
"Kitna majaa aayega na, Naani. Main toh kabhi kahi ghoomane nahi gayee." Shilpa told naani.
(what fun it will be. I have never ever travelled to anyplace)
"Bhaiyya to sabako shaadi ke pahale honeymoon kara rahehain... hai na naani?( Bro is giving everybody honeymoon before marriage, isn't it so, Grandma?)
Murli said to naani and both laughed. Shikha, Veer,Chandni, Shilpa all blushed. Advay was staring at Chandu. He smiled and left.
Everybody dispersed here and there. Shilpa went after Murli." Kya kaha tha Abhi vahaa pe?" (What were you saying just a while back out there?)Shilpa asked Murli.
"Kya kaha tha?"(what did i say?)
"vahi... honeymoon ki baat...Humara bhi toh hoga na?" ( the same....about honeymoon....even we shall have right?) Shilpa blushed and looked at Murli.
"nahi nahi... mera aisa koi matalab nahi tha... main to sirf Miku bhaiyya ar Shikha bhabhi ki baat kar raha tha."( no no not at all. I didn't mean any such thing. I was only talking about Miku and Shikha)
"Fir Sabka honeymoon kyun kaha? Sirf unka naam lete... "(then why did you say everybody's honeymoon, you should have said, their honeymoon)
Shilpa caught him in his own words.
"Aaan? ... Voh meri jabaan fisal gayee." Murli made a face.
(my tongue slipped)
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